As a long time lover of gardening, this is shaping up to be a super exciting year in Giles.  After several years of container gardening at my apartments and townhomes in Blacksburg as a student at Virginia Tech, I have now upgraded to homeownership and the added benefit of a large, open yard that is perfect for planting.  This life change alongside starting a Grow Appalachia program in Giles County could not have come at a more perfect time!  The Grow Giles program kicked off on February 19th with a very well-attended class on garden planning.  We learned planting on March 19th, and I could already see the excitement and confidence building.  My participants and I are learning and growing alongside each other, and we are super excited to get past our last frost date in mid-May and really dig in.

72-cell seed starting tray with tomato and pepper seedlings growing.

Seedlings started from seeds received by Grow Giles participants.

Yard with 8-foot tall fence posts enclosed using two rows of 8-foot long cattle panels.

Progress being made on an 8-foot tall (hopefully) deer-proof fence for the garden.